Imagine the scene therefore in his Emly home last Saturday when the 66/1 shot Knockara Beau won the Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2) at Cheltenham.

George, who owned the mare Joy Of My Heart on whom Sue Shortt competed at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, admitted that things became a bit heated as the Leading Counsel gelding, who he bred with his wife Maria, fought back to get the better of At Fishers Cross and Big Buck’s by a short-head and three quarters of a length.